SUZUKA, Japan — Formula One championship contenders Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are among five drivers who have each been penalized five starting places for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Brawn GP pair, plus Renault’s Fernando Alonso, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Buemi failed to slow when yellow flags were waved after a crash during the second session of Saturday’s qualifying.
Button drops down to 12th and Barrichello to 10th on the grid for Sunday’s race. Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, who retains slim championship hopes, qualified on the pole.
There were a number of crashes, including Toyota’s Timo Glock, who is doubtful for the race after a heavy collision with a tire wall.